American Airlines and China's Hainan Airlines Announce Joint Cooperation

FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines and Beijing-based Hainan Airlines have signed an agreement to codeshare on each other's flights and to offer their frequent flyer members new opportunities to earn and redeem miles/points, while providing new growth opportunities for American in China and for Hainan Airlines in the United States.

Hainan, a Skytrax 5-Star airline, operates more than 2,800 weekly flights to cities throughout China as well as international destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America. From its Beijing hub, Hainan offers more than 400 weekly flights, including service to more than 40 Chinese cities.

The agreement, subject to government approval, will open many new markets that will complement American's existing service to China. Currently, American operates nonstop service in three markets: Chicago O'Hare-Beijing, Chicago O'Hare-Shanghai and Los Angeles-Shanghai. From its cornerstone hubs at Chicago O'Hare and Los Angeles, American and American Eagle offer more than 450 and more than 150 daily departures, respectively.

The key elements of the American-Hainan agreement are:

• Codesharing (AA*) on direct flights operated by Hainan beyond Beijing that will allow customers on American's Chicago-Beijing flights to make connections to cities within China.
• Codesharing (AA*) on direct flights operated by Hainan between Beijing and Seattle.
• Codesharing (HU*) on direct flights operated by American beyond Seattle that will allow customers on Hainan's Beijing-Seattle flights access to American's domestic network.
• Codesharing (HU*) on direct flights operated by American between Shanghai and Chicago/Los Angeles and between Beijing and Chicago.
• Improvement in flight schedules and connection times to benefit customers of both airlines.
• Increased opportunities for customers of each airline to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles/points on services operated by the other.

"By strengthening and broadening our presence in China through our relationship with Hainan Airlines, American will be better positioned to deliver enhanced benefits to our joint customers," said Virasb Vahidi, American's Chief Commercial Officer.

"This agreement has the potential to make traveling between China and the United States – and beyond – considerably more attractive for our customers with improved connections and increased frequent flyer benefits," said Hou Wei, Hainan's Chief Marketing Officer.

The agreement between American and Hainan increases American's presence throughout Asia. With fellow oneworld^® members Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and the Qantas Group, American offers codeshare service to cities throughout the Pacific Rim from Cathay's Hong Kong hub, Japan Airlines' Tokyo Narita hub and Qantas' Sydney hub.

About American Airlines
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection^® carrier serve 260 airports in more than 50 countries and territories with, on average, more than 3,300 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com^®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld^® alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members and members-elect serve more than 900 destinations with more than 10,000 daily flights to 149 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

About Hainan Airlines
Founded in 1993, Hainan Airlines is one of China's major airlines. A member of the HNA Group, Hainan is known for its award-winning customer service, impeccable safety standards and on-time performance. Hainan carries more than 20 million passengers annually and currently flies to 90 cities in 17 countries. Its network stretches across Asia to Africa, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and North America, and its domestic China network is extensive. Hainan's modern Boeing and Airbus fleet number 105, with new deliveries occurring monthly. It is one of the launch customers for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Currently Seattle to Beijing service is provided with Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Hainan's North American website, www.hainanair.us, provides users easy booking access and travel offers. Its frequent flyer program, the Fortune Wings Club, has millions of members across China. Hainan Airlines and the Fortune Wings Club are trademarks of Hainan Airlines Company Limited. U.S. callers can reach Hainan Airlines by calling 1-888-688-8813.

Current AMR Corp. news releases can be accessed at http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines